Minx Malone Guest Post – Inspiration

Thanks, Victoria, for allowing me to hang out with you today. I wanted to talk about something that is equally relevant for writers and readers alike: inspiration.

I used to be inspired mainly by dreams. I would wake up one day with a great idea or find myself daydreaming at work (bad, I know!) and come up with a new book title that rocked. I never questioned where these ideas came from until recently. I found myself wondering where exactly my subconscious mind was getting these ideas and even more importantly, what would I do if the ideas stopped?

It sparked an interesting question – what inspires me? What is it that excites me, intrigues me, challenges me enough to create something new? When I’m in the midst of writing I can’t analyze where the creativity comes from all I can do is be happy it’s there. But over time I’ve been able to identify a few things that help the muse along.

1) Google – strange as it seems, being able to find information about anything and everything has sparked my creativity a time or two. I’ve read some weird things on the Internet which have led to unusual plot twists or just interesting background info.

2) Other People – I’ve heard some juicy snippets of conversation just standing in line at the supermarket or waiting in the post office. People on cell phones apparently think no one else can hear them :)

3) Work – a lot of writers refer to their day job as the “dreaded day job” but I enjoy mine. Sharing gossip with coworkers has led to many interesting ideas, the most recent of which is my new series Desire Incorporated.

I got my idea for the Desire Incorporated series while helping out with a filing project at work. Even though the filing wasn’t fun, it definitely sparked some fun ideas about the kind of company we’d ALL love to work for. The first book in the series is about a temporary assistant named Ava.

Ava Kincaid took the temporary job at Desire Incorporated because she desperately needed the money, not because she was secretly hoping to see her ex-boyfriend Gavin Sloan again. She’s already been there, done that and gotten kicked in the teeth. She just wants to do her job and go home.

But when they meet up in the halls of Desire, the chemistry between them is as strong as ever. Suddenly she’s doing way more than filing…

I loved writing this book and was actually sad to see it end. So now I’m writing a second book set in the same universe called The Intern. Not sure what inspired that one but probably just my desire to spend time with the characters I’ve come to love so much.

Sometimes we are inspired by the strangest things. But no matter what inspires you, use it to fulfill your dreams and appreciate that inspiration for what it is.

A gift.

Minx

P.S. I’m hosting a contest this month at my website. Everyone who signs up for my newsletter will be entered for a chance to win a copy of The Temp. So come on over and sign up for regular updates about the mischief I get into!